Jurors began hearing testimony Wednesday in P.G. Sittenfeld's political corruption trial.The former Cincinnati councilman is accused of agreeing to approve a downtown development in exchange for campaign donations.In her opening statements, prosecutor Emily Glatfelter called Sittenfeld an "ambitious politician" who traded "power for money." She told jurors he betrayed the people of Cincinnati who he was elected to serve.Much of the opening statements centered around 435 Elm Street, the vacant property at the heart of this trial.The property is owned by former Bengal turned developer, Chinedum Ndukwe. "Chin" as he was referred to in the courtroom was secretly working for the FBI. Ndukwe introduced Sittenfeld to two men, Rob and Bryan. They were undercover agents pretending to be investors.Prosecutors said over the course of 18 months, the so-called investors gave Sittenfeld $40,000 in campaign donations in exchange for helping to move the 435 elm street development forward.Glatfelter told jurors Sittenfeld said, "I can deliver the votes" and "I can always get a vote on my left and on my right."Defense attorney Charlie Rittgers started his opening statements telling the jury "everything in life requires context" and "partial truth is not truth at all."435 Elm Street was on Sittenfeld's radar before he met Rob and Bryan, Rittgers said. He said it was an eyesore and was draining the city of $400,000 a year.Rittgers said Sittenfeld isn't denying the meetings with the so-called investors nor is he denying he received $40,000 in campaign contributions, but the defense said nothing Sittenfeld did was illegal. Rittgers said during the "scheme," undercover agents were the ones to first bring up the form of payment and amount they'd give.Rittgers said Sittenfeld "always did what was best for the City of Cincinnati."Rittgers also told the jury, the FBI paid Ndukwe $27,000 for his role in the "scheme." Former city councilman Kevin Flynn was the first witness to be called by prosecutors. Flynn testified about the role of city council, duties of the city manager and mayor and veto power.Former economic development director for the city, Phil Denning was the second witness to be called. Denning's testimony centered around development agreements and 435 Elm Street. He said he had a conversation with Sittenfeld where Sittenfeld asked about the process for Ndukwe to develop the property.Prosecutors are expected to call Nathan Holbrook, special agent for the FBI, to the stand Thursday morning. Holbrook's testimony is expected to last all day.
Jurors began hearing testimony Wednesday in P.G. Sittenfeld's political corruption trial.
The former Cincinnati councilman is accused of agreeing to approve a downtown development in exchange for campaign donations.
In her opening statements, prosecutor Emily Glatfelter called Sittenfeld an "ambitious politician" who traded "power for money." She told jurors he betrayed the people of Cincinnati who he was elected to serve.
Much of the opening statements centered around 435 Elm Street, the vacant property at the heart of this trial.
The property is owned by former Bengal turned developer, Chinedum Ndukwe.
"Chin" as he was referred to in the courtroom was secretly working for the FBI. Ndukwe introduced Sittenfeld to two men, Rob and Bryan.
They were undercover agents pretending to be investors.
Prosecutors said over the course of 18 months, the so-called investors gave Sittenfeld $40,000 in campaign donations in exchange for helping to move the 435 elm street development forward.
Glatfelter told jurors Sittenfeld said, "I can deliver the votes" and "I can always get a vote on my left and on my right."
Defense attorney Charlie Rittgers started his opening statements telling the jury "everything in life requires context" and "partial truth is not truth at all."
435 Elm Street was on Sittenfeld's radar before he met Rob and Bryan, Rittgers said.
He said it was an eyesore and was draining the city of $400,000 a year.
Rittgers said Sittenfeld isn't denying the meetings with the so-called investors nor is he denying he received $40,000 in campaign contributions, but the defense said nothing Sittenfeld did was illegal.
Rittgers said during the "scheme," undercover agents were the ones to first bring up the form of payment and amount they'd give.
Rittgers said Sittenfeld "always did what was best for the City of Cincinnati."
Rittgers also told the jury, the FBI paid Ndukwe $27,000 for his role in the "scheme."
Former city councilman Kevin Flynn was the first witness to be called by prosecutors.
Flynn testified about the role of city council, duties of the city manager and mayor and veto power.
Former economic development director for the city, Phil Denning was the second witness to be called.
Denning's testimony centered around development agreements and 435 Elm Street.
He said he had a conversation with Sittenfeld where Sittenfeld asked about the process for Ndukwe to develop the property.
Prosecutors are expected to call Nathan Holbrook, special agent for the FBI, to the stand Thursday morning.
Holbrook's testimony is expected to last all day.
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